CWA Asset Management Group LLC Sells 1,772 Shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

CWA Asset Management Group LLC lessened its stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) by 11.5% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 13,652 shares of the company's stock after selling 1,772 shares during the quarter. CWA Asset Management Group LLC's holdings in Marriott International were worth $3,252,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in MAR. LifeWealth Investments LLC grew its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 64.9% during the first quarter. LifeWealth Investments LLC now owns 7,115 shares of the company's stock worth $1,695,000 after buying an additional 2,801 shares in the last quarter. Pegasus Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in Marriott International by 1.6% during the 1st quarter. Pegasus Asset Management Inc. now owns 8,803 shares of the company's stock worth $2,097,000 after acquiring an additional 136 shares during the last quarter. Shepherd Financial Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Marriott International by 5.1% during the 1st quarter. Shepherd Financial Partners LLC now owns 1,232 shares of the company's stock worth $294,000 after acquiring an additional 60 shares in the last quarter. Clarius Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 4.2% in the first quarter. Clarius Group LLC now owns 1,537 shares of the company's stock valued at $366,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Robertson Stephens Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in Marriott International by 146.0% during the first quarter. Robertson Stephens Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,367 shares of the company's stock worth $1,040,000 after purchasing an additional 2,592 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 70.70% of the company's stock.

Marriott International Stock Up 0.5%

MAR stock opened at $257.53 on Thursday. The company's 50-day moving average price is $251.50 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $264.24. Marriott International, Inc. has a 12 month low of $204.55 and a 12 month high of $307.52. The firm has a market cap of $70.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.33, a P/E/G ratio of 3.17 and a beta of 1.42.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 6th. The company reported $2.32 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.25 by $0.07. Marriott International had a net margin of 9.75% and a negative return on equity of 100.64%. The business had revenue of $6.26 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.19 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.13 earnings per share. The company's revenue was up 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts predict that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 EPS for the current year.

Marriott International Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 23rd will be issued a $0.67 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 23rd. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.04%. This is a boost from Marriott International's previous quarterly dividend of $0.63. Marriott International's dividend payout ratio is 30.52%.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Benjamin T. Breland sold 1,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, May 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $270.21, for a total transaction of $270,210.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 20,724 shares of the company's stock, valued at $5,599,832.04. This trade represents a 4.60% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Anthony Capuano sold 12,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $263.90, for a total value of $3,166,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 124,067 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $32,741,281.30. The trade was a 8.82% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 10.68% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have commented on MAR shares. Stifel Nicolaus cut their price target on shares of Marriott International from $295.00 to $240.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 16th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on Marriott International from $275.00 to $267.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. Barclays cut their price objective on Marriott International from $283.00 to $236.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a "neutral" rating and issued a $245.00 price target (down previously from $313.00) on shares of Marriott International in a research note on Monday, April 14th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $250.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 7th. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $275.15.

Marriott International Profile

Marriott International, Inc engages in operating, franchising, and licensing hotel, residential, timeshare, and other lodging properties worldwide. It operates its properties under the JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, The Luxury Collection, W Hotels, St. Regis, EDITION, Bvlgari, Marriott Hotels, Sheraton, Westin, Autograph Collection, Renaissance Hotels, Le Méridien, Delta Hotels by Marriott, Tribute Portfolio, Gaylord Hotels, Design Hotels, Marriott Executive Apartments, Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy, Courtyard by Marriott, Fairfield by Marriott, Residence Inn by Marriott, SpringHill Suites by Marriott, Four Points by Sheraton, TownePlace Suites by Marriott, Aloft Hotels, AC Hotels by Marriott, Moxy Hotels, Element Hotels, Protea Hotels by Marriott, City Express by Marriott, and St.

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